Here are three things you need to know in the financial markets this morning from investment writer, Tony Cross.
#1. Deliveroo full year transactions at top end of guidance
Deliveroo LON:ROO has published a Q4 trading update this morning, noting a strong end to the year. Gross transactions rose by a third from a year ago, but an even faster acceleration in order numbers served to depress the average value per order by around 5%. Full year performance has come in around the top end of previously issued guidance and the company now covers 77% of the UK population, up from 53% at the end of 2020.
#2. The City Pub Group pre-Christmas sales back at 2019 levels
The City Pub Group LON:CPC has published a trading statement today, looking at the full year to 26th December. Revenues were up by 38% as a result of fewer COVID restrictions, with October and November’s trade returning to 2019 levels. The company continues to pay down debt and invest in its estate, with a series of refurbishments plus four new sites due to come on stream in the first half of the year. Management adds that the year has started well, with the traditionally slow January seeing outperformance, in what they take to be a sign of returning consumer confidence.
#3. N Brown strong sales in strategic brands fail to deliver the goods
Fashion retailer N Brown LON:BWNG has released 3 numbers for the 18 weeks to 1st January. The company is winding down legacy brands and shifting the onus onto its strategic brands and whilst sales in the latter added 5.5%, this wasn’t sufficient to offset declines elsewhere. Overall sales fell 3.3% in Q3, leaving the year to date figure 1.7% lower and slightly below previous expectations which saw the year being broadly flat. Full year EBITDA is now also expected to come in at the bottom end of previous guidance, although capex is also forecast to come in slightly lighter.
